A perfect choice for the North American gardener, Hedera algeriensis/canariensis (commonly called Algerian Ivy) is delightfully versatile. Boasting larger leaves, bug resistance,
drought tolerance
and a willingness to adapt to warmer temperatures than it's "English" ivy counterpart, Algerian Ivy promises to deliver not only gorgeous glossy-green 4 to 6 inch leaves, but also a hardiness that is a gardener's best friend.

With a prostrate habit that roots as it
spreads
along the ground, Algerian Ivy is an excellent choice for
erosion control
and will even tolerate infrequent
foot traffic.
She does prefer a bit of shade but is willing to adapt to most soil conditions including a willingness to
tolerate salt. Algerian Ivy will do best if the soil is allowed to dry out between watering, giving you a moderate to
rapid growth rate
guaranteed to fill a space quickly with her lush, big leaves that become a bright bronzy-red in some winter areas and turn green again the following spring. With large leaves and reddish stems, Algerian ivy is a perfect selection for topiaries and trellis forms.

Things to Note
If you are planning to plant this in full sun, you MUST give it ample water for the first year (until it becomes established). Once established, it will thrive in full sun. However, it should not be planted (in full sun) next to something like a blacktop, since this causes heat intensification. For the greatest chances of establishment before summer, it needs to be planted in the fall or early spring. If you are not willing and able to nurture it the first year we suggest you get Persian Ivy instead, it can be planted in full sun without as much care.

General information about Hedera:
Hedera is a genus of 15 species of
climbing
or
creepingevergreen,
woody plants. It’s important to note that from the family Araliceae, Hedera is not native to the United States. Instead, Hedera hails from Northwestern Africa, Japan, Central and Southern Asia, Western, Central and Southern Europe, and the Atlantic Islands. On suitable surfaces such as trees or rock faces, and with utterly breathtaking effect, Hedera may climb at least 80 feet above the ground.

Hedera offers two different leaf types when she is exposed to
full sun
locations like the top of a rock face, a southern building façade or the crowns of trees, creating lovely interest. These leaves,
palmately lobed
juvenile leaves on creeping and climbing stems, and
unlobed,
cordate,
adult leaves on fertile flowering stems, add both texture and variety with juvenile shoots being slender, flexible and willing to climb using tiny roots to attach themselves to surfaces like rock or tree bark and adults shoots that are both thicker and self-supporting with no roots.

In late Autumn, expect small, individual flowers blossoming in 1 to 2 inch greenish-yellow
umbels.
and in late winter, expect small blackberries that will thrill a variety of
birds.

Gardeners love Hedera Ivies because of their uniquely-shaped leaves and their
evergreen
often
variegated
foliage that promises to add texture, variety and constant color to their landscape. Famously, Hedera is known for its skill in adorning unsightly walls.

Things to Note
The esthetic, camouflaging of Hedera lands her into a bit of a debate. There has been disagreement as to whether it is harmful to the object being climbed by ivy; the consensus in Europe is that the effect is mostly insignificant. In fact, soundly-mortared walls are generally considered to be impenetrable to ivies’ climbing roots. Those who follow this frame of thinking will argue that walls are actually protected from weathering due to a shield of ivy keeping the elements off mortar. Walls with already weak or loose mortar, however, may be susceptible to damage, as ivy can cause breaks by rooting into the mortar. Subsequent removal of the ivy can be difficult, and is likely to cause more damage than the ivy itself. Modern mortars (that contain Portland cement and a little lime) are stronger than older mixes; the latter were largely composed of sand and lime. Most mortar mixes changed to contain Portland cement in the 1930s, though soft mortar is still used when laying softer brick.

At the same time, when the object is living, such as a tree, both may compete for ground nutrients and water, and trees with heavy growths of ivy are more liable to
windthrow,
North America sees greater dangers, as trees run the risk of perishing after becoming overworked. This could be due to the difference between native plants and those plants being introduced from other regions. In North America, Hederas lack the natural pests and diseases that control its vigor in native areas. Gardeners will want to consider the potential of this ivy to create a
vigorous,
dense,
shade-tolerantevergreen
that can
spread
over large areas and out-compete native vegetation.

Unless you know what you're doing, we do not recommend planting any Hedera ivies without a good month to get established before the heat of summer. We strongly recommend that you plant before mid-April or after mid-September (up to May 1 is OK in northern zones). It's tricky to water enough without over-watering (you must let the soil dry out between watering, but no so much that the plants die).

You may order them, but understand that we will not replace or refund should any perish. (more)

You may specify a future ship date when you checkout.

FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.